CSB # 5 Role of Nanotechnology in Surgery Applications

Role of Nanotechnology in Surgery Applications

Summary/Discussion:
Nano particles have ignited enormous scientific and technological interest due to their ease of synthesis, chemical stability, and specific optical properties. These extremely small particles have been developed for several applications including drug delivery, computer engineering, and even in everyday products such as sunscreen. However, a new use for these nanoparticles is emerging in the surgery field. Dr. Bozhi Tian, PhD, of Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is working on producing a unique nanoparticle that can repair tissue at a cellular level through synthesized tissues that the nanoparticles carry. This can be achieved by combining synthetic devises (nanoparticles, prosthetic tissues) to effectively recognize the damaged area and transport the tissue to the harmed area. Further advances include Dr. Daniel S. Kohane, of Children's Hospital Boston who is developing a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system that is activated through the patient on demand. Dr. Kohane notes that "Surgeons are effective gatekeepers in controlling access of technology to their patients. It is therefore important for surgeons to know what nanotechnology is and is not. The ability to assess the merits of nano-based approaches is crucial for the protection of the best interests of patients and for the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of new therapies."

I chose this topic because the application of nanotechnology is extremely interesting. Nanotechnology is a relatively new advancement in technology. Fighting cancer and drug delivery are the most well-known applications of nano particles.  The fact that now nanotechnology can be implemented into surgical operations amazes me as now nanotechnology is not limited to just drug delivery but can have many applications in the surgery field.  With that, nanotechnology could be combined with stem cells to deliver synthesized organs which in the future, would be a huge accomplishment. I think that this advancement will lead to many more scientific achievements

Resources:

Article: Weldon, Christopher. "Surgeons Predict the Future of Nano medicine Practice." 
     Science Daily. Web. 1 Mar. 2011. 
     <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110301122051.htm>.

Image: N.d Techfaq: "Nanotechnology." 
     TopBits.com. Web. 6 Mar. 2011. 
http://www.tech-faq.com/nanotechnology.html